Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti has been sworn in as Ontario's new Minister of Natural Resources.
He takes over the post from Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle.
Gravelle, who held that post for about 16 months, is the new Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
This is Orazietti's first cabinet post and he was absolutely elated when contacted and asked by Premier designate Kathleen Wynne if he’d like the position.
“I am honoured to have been asked to serve in her cabinet,” Orazietti said in a telephone interview from Toronto.
The third-term MPP said he received a telephone call from Wynne while going through security at the Sault Airport late Sunday on his way to Toronto.
“She said 'I want you to serve in cabinet as the Minister of Natural Resources.' I told her I'd be honoured. It was a very short conversation,” Orazietti said.
The caucus was told earlier that it wouldn't be until late in the day Sunday when Wynne would be making the calls but Orazietti said despite that news, he was unaware he'd be one of the elected officials to receive the calls.
“I'm overwhelmed,” he said. “I appreciate the tremendous support I received from the community over the years and I'm honoured to serve the community and the province in this way. I believe the community earned this.”
Wynne is the 25th premier of Ontario.
Orazietti, one of 27 members in the new cabinet, said he always had a good working relationship with Wynne and said the ministry “is iconic in significance to Northerners. It's a large footprint in our community with a dedicated and committed staff including those in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Natural Resources is not new to Orazietti. He has served as parliamentary assistant to three different Natural Resources ministers – about half his time as an elected member of Provincial Parliament – and saw various legislation through the committee process including endangered species, parks and the Far North Act.
Despite the appointment, which will take a significant chunk of his time, Orazietti said he is still committed to ensuring Sault Ste. Marie moves forward with its local priorities and will continue to lobby on behalf of the community and its needs.
While every ministry has its challenges, Orazietti expects the forestry sector will pose the greatest challenge to ensure that jobs are created and the balance to maintain Ontario's natural resources are preserved.
Sault Mayor Debbie Amaroso congratulated Orazietti on the appointment.
“This is an exciting opportunity and a reflection of David Orazietti's dedication to the residents of Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to work with his local constituency office and Ministry staff as we jointly strive towards economic opportunities in the resource sector and lasting growth and prosperity for our community.”
CAO Joe Fratesi agreed. “David has worked tirelessly for our city and all of Northern Ontario since his first election and we look forward to working with him in his new position.”
Wynne has shuffled her cabinet substantially, partly due to the retirement of finance minister Dwight Duncan and Minister of Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci.
Gravelle was appointed Northern Development and Mines Minister, a ministry that was earlier rumored to go to Orazietti.
The cabinet includes 20 members with new portfolios.
MPP Charles Sousa picks up the finance ministry and Education will be picked up by backbencher Liz Sandals.
Sandals and Orazietti are two of at least NINE cabinet ministers being named in the new cabinet.
Reports indicate that attempts to recruit second place finisher Sandra Pupatello to run in Windor-Tecumseh for Duncan's post, were unsuccessful.
Orazietti, a former city councillor who was first elected member of provincial Parliament in 2003.
Orazietti has served as a parliamentary assistant to various ministers including natural resources, education, northern development and mines, education, and the Premier.
Orazietti has also introduced a number of private member's bills which saw the reform of the Northern Health Travel Grant, improved breast screening for women, and the prohibition of smoking in cars with minor passengers.
Other private member bills he has introduced include seeking protection for wireless customers and the four-laning of Highway 17.
The legislature resumes on Tues. Feb. 19.
Others named in the cabinet include Bob Chiarelli to Ministry of Energy, Eric Hoskins to economic development and trade, and David Zimmer to Aboriginal affairs.
Yasir Naqvi becomes the Labour Minister, Teresa Piruzza children and youth services, Michael Coteau, citizenship and immigration, and Reza Moridi as research and innovation.
Linda Jeffrey has been named Municipal Affairs and Housing minister, Glen Murray, transportation and infrastructure and Deb Matthews retains her post as health and long term care minister and will also become the deputy premier.
Wynne will serve as agriculture minister and has kept others in the current positions, including Government House Leader John Millroy, Attorney General John Gerretsen, Environment Minister Jim Bradley, Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur, Michael Chan in Tourism, Culture and Sport and Government Services Minister Harinder Takhar.
Ted McMeekin has been appointed to community and social services and Laurel Broten to intergovernmental affairs and minister responsible for women's issues.
Brad Duguid takes on colleges and universities and Jeff Leo rural affairs.